IEC says Bensouda fully meets all nomination requirements
The Chairman of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), Joseph Colley, has disclosed that UNITE leader Talib Ahmed Bensouda is the only presidential aspirant who has so far satisfied all documentation and supporting signature requirements following the processing of nomination papers. Speaking at a media briefing, Colley said the Commission had received 12 nomination submissions by the end of the sixth day of the nomination period, out of an expected 18. He revealed that six aspirants had withdrawn from the race. They include the All Inclusive Party, Gambia Action Party, National Unity Party (NUP), and independent aspirants Musa Jallow, Ismaila Jobe and Alkali Cham. According to the IEC chairman, the NUP officially informed the Commission that it had joined the Team Gambia Grand Coalition. Colley further stated that four nomination submissions remain unprocessed due to the non-payment of the mandatory D1 million deposit. The affected submissions are those of the Democratic Party and independent aspirants Salieu Jallow, Alieu Sowe and Joseph Henry Joof. The nomination papers of the Gambia Labour Party have also not been processed after its flagbearer aspirant, Bakusa Dukureh, publicly acknowledged holding dual citizenship. In addition, his secondary school certificate has been referred for verification. Of the seven submissions already processed, only Bensouda has been found to have fully complied with all nomination requirements without the need for additional documentation or supporting signatures. Former Vice President Dr. Isatou Touray, has been asked to provide 12 additional supporting signatures from the Kerewan Administrative Area, while Modou Lamin Sima requires 1,040 more signatures nationwide. National Builders Party aspirant Ansu Sanneh must undergo further citizenship verification and submit an additional 379 signatures. Meanwhile, National Democratic Party aspirant Kebba Madi Bojang requires 1,914 more signatures, with his secondary school certificate also undergoing verification. Independent aspirant Bakary K. Badjie has been directed to provide an additional 2,310 supporting signatures nationwide, while People's Alliance Party leader Ebrima Tabora Manneh requires 1,507 more signatures. The IEC chairman reminded aspirants that the nomination process remains open until 14 November 2026, giving candidates with outstanding requirements additional time to regularise their submissions. The latest update leaves Talib Ahmed Bensouda as the only aspirant whose nomination has been completed without any outstanding issues, as other candidates continue efforts to meet the Commission's requirements before the close of nominations.
Black News 
The Chairman of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), Joseph Colley, has disclosed that UNITE leader Talib Ahmed Bensouda is the only presidential aspirant who has so far satisfied all documentation and supporting signature requirements following the processing of nomination papers.
Speaking at a media briefing, Colley said the Commission had received 12 nomination submissions by the end of the sixth day of the nomination period, out of an expected 18.
He revealed that six aspirants had withdrawn from the race. They include the All Inclusive Party, Gambia Action Party, National Unity Party (NUP), and independent aspirants Musa Jallow, Ismaila Jobe and Alkali Cham. According to the IEC chairman, the NUP officially informed the Commission that it had joined the Team Gambia Grand Coalition.
Colley further stated that four nomination submissions remain unprocessed due to the non-payment of the mandatory D1 million deposit. The affected submissions are those of the Democratic Party and independent aspirants Salieu Jallow, Alieu Sowe and Joseph Henry Joof.
The nomination papers of the Gambia Labour Party have also not been processed after its flagbearer aspirant, Bakusa Dukureh, publicly acknowledged holding dual citizenship. In addition, his secondary school certificate has been referred for verification.
Of the seven submissions already processed, only Bensouda has been found to have fully complied with all nomination requirements without the need for additional documentation or supporting signatures.
Former Vice President Dr. Isatou Touray, has been asked to provide 12 additional supporting signatures from the Kerewan Administrative Area, while Modou Lamin Sima requires 1,040 more signatures nationwide.
National Builders Party aspirant Ansu Sanneh must undergo further citizenship verification and submit an additional 379 signatures. Meanwhile, National Democratic Party aspirant Kebba Madi Bojang requires 1,914 more signatures, with his secondary school certificate also undergoing verification.
Independent aspirant Bakary K. Badjie has been directed to provide an additional 2,310 supporting signatures nationwide, while People's Alliance Party leader Ebrima Tabora Manneh requires 1,507 more signatures.
The IEC chairman reminded aspirants that the nomination process remains open until 14 November 2026, giving candidates with outstanding requirements additional time to regularise their submissions.
The latest update leaves Talib Ahmed Bensouda as the only aspirant whose nomination has been completed without any outstanding issues, as other candidates continue efforts to meet the Commission's requirements before the close of nominations.
